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Distinguished Professor Motohide Yoshikawa awarded the Order of the Polar Star from Mongolia

Update: August 31, 2017

Distinguished Professor, Motohide Yoshikawa (to the left) and Mongolian Ambassador to Japan, Sodovjamts Khurelbaatar Distinguished Professor, Motohide Yoshikawa (to the left) and Mongolian Ambassador to Japan, Sodovjamts Khurelbaatar

ICU's Distinguished Professor Yoshikawa Motohide was awarded the Order of the Polar Star, Mongolia's highest honor conferred to foreign civilians from the Mongolian President. He received the award from the Mongolian Ambassador to Japan in the award ceremony that took place at the Embassy of Mongolia on Tuesday, July 18. ICU President Junko Hibiya also attended the ceremony.

Distinguished Professor Yoshikawa was awarded the Order in recognition of his contributions for the development of strong relations between Mongolia and Japan, for instance, serving as the co-chairman of Assistance Group Meeting for Mongolia while he was Deputy Director-General of the Economic Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2002-2004).

Comment by Distinguished Professor Yoshikawa

The year 2017 marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Japan and Mongolia. Commemorating the start of this bilateral relation, awards were conferred to nine Japanese citizens who contributed to the development of Japan-Mongolia relations, and I was among those Japanese.

Situated in between the two major powers of China and Russia, Mongolia holds a geopolitically important position. The development of Mongolia as a democratic country contributes to the peace and stabilization of Northeast Asia. In addition, Mongolia is blessed with abundant underground resources, making it an important partner from the viewpoint of securing the supply of resources and energy necessary for Japan.

Against this background, Japan has been actively aiding Mongolia. The 2003 Assistance Group Meeting for Mongolia in Tokyo, which I jointly chaired with a representative of the World Bank, was held as part of such aid activities offered by Japan. I am very honored to receive this award, which I think was given in recognition of Japan's economic and technological assistance rather than my personal contributions.

In appreciation of the honor, I would like to continue to contribute what little I can to strengthening the ties between Mongolia and Japan.

*フレルバータル大使は、2017年8月に退任されました。

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